WOMEN: What would we do without them?

How do we articulate how vital women are to the world? (For those that still need a little convincing.) Here is a stark look at the reality of where Australia would be if women were somehow removed from the workforce.

To commemorate International Women’s Day on the 8th March 2019, we’ve painted the picture of what a world without women in the workforce would look like in Australia.

Nearly half of Australia’s workforce would disappear. Women account for 47% of all workers in Australia, and 68.5% of all part-time employees.

Australia’s children wouldn’t learn much. Nearly three-quarters (72.8%) of preschool and school education employees are women, including 85% of primary school teachers and 62% of secondary school teachers. The education system would collapse without them!

Hospitals would close. Over 80% of hospital employees, 85% of general practice staff and 77% of other medical and health care service employees are women.

Other industries would be ruined too. Women account for the majority of workers in many fields, according to Census data, including: 88% of office managers, 81% of accounting clerks and 80% of aged and disabled carers.

Almost 13% of the military would disappear. There are roughly 1950 women actively serving in Australia’s armed forces, accounting for 12.6% of the total.

Most volunteers wouldn’t report for duty. Over three-and-a-half million Australians volunteered with non-profits and other organisations in 2016, and the majority of them—2 million—were women. Women are especially likely to volunteer in charity ventures focused on welfare and education.

As you can see, women are a vital part of the Australian workforce, making considerable contributions in the areas of education, healthcare and charity, as well as a range of other industries and sectors. Take an opportunity today to celebrate and thank the women in your life for who they are, as well as what they do!